Go sans water bottles for your wedding and serve tap water in eco-chic mason jars instead. Add slices of lemon and cucumber or strawberry and basil for a unique yet refreshing beverage. You can also serve fresh juice at your wedding: fresh squeezed lemonade, orange juice, or even iced tea are equally tasty alternatives. Ask your wedding venue to help your wedding be as green as possible and conserve water. Leave instructions to avoid doing the dishes from your reception until all of them are cleared, only run the dishwasher when it's full and look for venues that use gray water. These simple tips can save gallons of water and be applied to daily life long after you've said 'I do'!

What's a more perfect opportunity to experience a new culture than a destination wedding? Keep it small: invite immediate family and close friends to reduce the carbon emissions of those that would have to fly to your chosen destination.  Consider purchasing carbon offsets for you and your guests. Destination weddings can actually save you money! By having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, you can cut the costs of decorations and reduce the amount of traveling your guests will have to do in an unfamiliar place.  Hire local vendors as a chance to fully experience the different customs, foods, and entertainment. Extend your vacation after your nuptials are over and your guests have  returned home. Stay and explore the unique culture, sights and cuisines the country has to offer with your new groom. You can even volunteer and help the local economy!

Registering for green items can give your guests the chance to explore environmentally friendly options to wedding gifts they were already considering giving you. Create a wedding website for your guests to have access to your registry as well as other wedding details. Another alternative is to discretely tell your guests about your registry by tucking a card into your announcement, shower and other pre-party invitations. These cards from our wedding shop printed on 100% recycled paper with soy ink are a great option!  A registry full of fair trade houswares also gives your guests the chance to learn about supporting the fair trade market. Rather than asking for something for your home, suggest something you and your partner can enjoy such as cooking lessons, an organic wine of the month subscription, or an annual pass to a national park.  Forego asking for a green gift but still make a difference in the impact your wedding has on the earth by suggesting your guests make a donation in your name to your favorite charity. 

Photo Credit: Wedding Wire

For a buffet style dinner try mini items such as burgers, hot dogs, soup shots, and pies. When offering smaller portions, make sure your caterer keeps it simple and serves the individual portions without any unnecessary "packaging." Offer your guests a completly edible hor d'oeuvre as opposed to one that requires the use of ceramic dishes or extra utensils. This simple and tasty fix will allow your wedding to be less wasteful as fewer items are thrown away and less water is used during clean up. 

Image Credit: Gazpacho in Edible Zucchini Cups